Police are hunting a man following a stabbing in a Middlesbrough street.

The attack happened in the Percy Street area of the town in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said there had been an incident involving two men. A man was stabbed and rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

For full details see online later.

Three hurt in escalator fall

Three people were injured - none believed seriously - after an accident on an escalator in The Mall, central Middlesbrough.

Emergency crews were called to the former Cleveland Centre soon after 11.30am.

The incident happened when an elderly woman stumbled and fell creating a “domino effect” which saw a father and daughter fall down the escalator as they tried to help her. The dad suffered cuts and bruises while his daughter was treated for an ankle injury at hospital.

For full details see online later.

Top council still aiming higher

Stockton Council has vowed it will not rest on its laurels after being rated the top performing local authority in the country.

Stockton was rated as the best out of 150 single tier and county councils by Government watchdogs the Audit Commission last month as reported.

While Council Leader Councillor Bob Gibson was “absolutely thrilled” at receiving the highest possible ratings he told the Gazette: “We certainly don’t intend to stand still.”